Biomedical engineering

What is the career about?
Biomedical engineering is the applications of engineering techniques and analyses to problem-solving in medicine and the biomedical sciences. That is biomedical engineers try to answer medical challenges by helping design and develop new equipment or methods. Examples include:
  • developing systems to maintain and enhance life
  • designing replacement parts for people
  • creating systems to allow the handicapped to use computers for work and communication
The Biomedical field is vast and diverse and encompasses many areas of study. These cover areas from:
  • cardiac monitors to clinical computing
  • artificial hearts to contact lenses
  • wheel chairs to artificial tendons
  • modelling dialysis therapy to modelling the cardiovascular system.
Biomedical engineers are also important in the management of technology in hospitals and health care delivery.

What education will be needed?
To become a biomedical engineer it really depends on your intended focus but at least a bachelors degree in engineering is needed, which takes about 4-5 years. Along with taking the required background courses of mathematics and physical and life sciences, a biomedical engineer will also need special coursework in the biomedical area. The most common fields of additional training that biomedical engineers go through are:
  • industrial
  • electrical
  • mechanical
  • or chemical
Specialized biomedical training is also needed and at least a master's degree is suggested. Since Biomedical engineering covers a broad expanse of areas, a broad education is needed. so courses in classes such as biology, physiology, medical instrumentation, biochemistry, or biophysics can be taken.

Why would this be a good career
There has been a great expansion in this field in areas such as medical electronics, clinical engineering, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering. Biomedical engineers are also also exposed to many fields of study in engineering, medicine, and biology. Due to their broad experience biomedical engineers find jobs in places like:
  • hospitals
  • government bodies
  • and industry or academic areas.
Specific areas of employment include:
  • design of medical instrumentation and prostheses
  • involvement in the development, manufacture and testing of medical products
  • and the management of technology in the hospital system.
Thus many jobs are available to a biomedical engineer.

What else should we know about this career?
The average starting salary for a biomedical engineer with a bachelors degree is $48,503 per year. If you have a masters degree the starting salary is $59,667 per year. The median salary for a biomedical engineer is $67,690 per year which can become as much as $107,530 per year.
Biomedical engineers work in modern, well-equipped hospitals, research centers, and manufacturing plants. Their basic work week is generally forty hours, but in many cases they work longer to complete special projects. They also usually work as part of a team. Since their field is so broad, they must be able to cooperate and communicate with specialists in other fields. Biomedical engineers should be interested in science and mathematics as well as medicine. And they should enjoy solving problems and meeting challenges.

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/389/Biomedical-Engineer.html
http://www.gsbme.unsw.edu.au/whatisit.htm